TABLE OF CONTENTS

   


 


Topic #1
TV Program Ratings
Introduction


What is a rating/share?

Math Activity One

One Week's Ratings  
 
Math Activity Two  
 
Syndicated Programming

Sample Ratings Page

Sweeps

What Do Ratings Represent? 

Math Activity Three
 
30 Sec. Ad Costs

Math Activities 4 & 5
 
Accuracy & Ratings
 
Market Sizes
 
Math Activity Six
 

Articles About Ratings
 
Related Media Math Lesson Plans
   
 

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wpe2.jpg (3977 bytes)  Math In The Media   wpe1.jpg (4219 bytes)
©2004 Frank W. Baker

INTRODUCTION

Every day, we are bombarded by numbers. The source of information using numbers is frequently the news. Every day newspapers, magazines, TV and radio news, report news stories which include numbers. Oftentimes, these numbers go by so fast, we don't have time to stop and process them.

This web resource, Math In The Media, highlights specific stories found in the media which commonly use numbers. This site is designed to be used by middle school math teachers. The goal is to get students interested in math using "real world examples;" things they can relate to easily. At the same time, the topics addressed in the news stories are those which are regularly reported. Teachers can easily link to a news source and download the latest information, making the topic relevant and timely. (TV News ratings is the first topic that has been fully developed: use the links in the Table of Contents on the left)

Your feedback is important to us. If you utilize these activities in your classroom, let me know. Send me your comments, feedback and reactions.  
Frank Baker fbaker1346@aol.com

A recent survey found these news stories to be the ones which most frequently use numbers. 
(Links will take you to web sites with additional information and resources):


 
MOVIES
Box Office Gross
   

The Numbers
Unemployment Rates        Case Study     
Understanding Employment   
Monthly Employment Figures Cause Confusion
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
details  FAQ   background    

Reporting Inflation
BOOKS
New York Times
Best-Sellers
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)    
details   background   sources 
 
Lesson Plan: GDP in the Real
World
         
Sports Statistics
(see related math lesson plans
listed on the left)

Super Bowl
 
High School Dropout Rates Stock Market Data  (see related media math lesson plans listed on the left)
Life Expectancy Politics
(see The Role of Media in Politics)
   
Site updated on:  06/14/2008